Too Old?

“I’m too old!” That has been my response and my excuse when it has come to pushing myself as it pertains to exercising. My knees hurt. My heart aches. My lungs don’t like it. You name it. I’ve said it all.Then, in July, my friends Melissa and Renee encouraged me to run the Kiawah 1/2 marathon in December, which they had registered for. That is 13 miles! As a joke, I told Greg who said, “Yeah, let’s do it.” So began the “thing” I am now committed to.

I have discovered something about myself that I am none too proud of. Without some pushing and prodding, I am not highly motivated. When I run, if I am running alone, I stop to walk up the hills. When I am running with a friend or Greg, I keep going. In fact, Friday night, we ran 8 miles without stopping (which I haven’t done since I was 16!)

My running habits look a lot like my faith habits. Ecclesiates 4:9 – 12 says it all “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall (or want to quit like me!), one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone with he falls, for he has no one to help him up. Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one be warm alone? Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” (NKJV)

I need friends. I need ones who will come along side of me and encourage me to pursue Jesus. I need ones who will be honest with me and push me to grow. Maybe you are like me too? I want to encourage you to find a group of gals, or maybe just one to be that for you. Maybe a women’s Bible study at your church would be exactly what you need. Again, you can join us as we study He Speaks to Me by Priscilla Shirer. Find some faithful “running partners”. Because like me, many of us tend to stop when we run alone.

Comments

OK…first off, you can't be 'old' because if you are, then I'm older! YUCK!

I had an accountability partner for years and we shared daily over e-mail what the Lord had spoken to our hearts each day after we'd had our quiet time. It was a wonderful way to stay in His Word and to think of how to apply it personally and share that daily. She and I also met once every other week for prayer. They were precious years. Unfortunately when we moved 5 years ago, our visits have diminished to about half a dozen a year. I miss our prayer times together and the encouragement she was to me. I keep praying the Lord will send someone else, but I will trust in His perfect timing.

It's so exciting that you are running in this marathon!!! I'm impressed. Keep going – you can do this!!!